Wildlife habitat planting native plants and some non-natives such as berries for birds. Tubular plants for hummingbirds, butterfly weed, many flowers attract bees. Leave some area of your yard not so tidy, for bird habitat. Feeders are ok. Water is great. Birds are attracted to moving water but need a shallow place to wade. Butterflies prefer a mud patch. A small birdbath with mud and cut fruit will attract a number of butterflies. Many birds eat insect pests, as well as distributing soil fungi needed for decomposition diversity(composting).

Frogs and lizards eat insects indluding mosquitos, and are very susceptible to pesticides. And all are fun to watch, for children of all ages!

The easiest way is to encourage native plant communities – they need little care from us once planted.  In addition to food there are manmade homes to encourage mason bees(pollinators), ladybug beetles ( pest patrol), bats ( eat tons of mosquitos) and even owls to go after those pesky mice and rats. 

PS – please don’t feed the deer. This actually encourages mountain lions, as well as the ticks that carry lime and other diseases.